Three Rebels to Watch as Ole Miss Faces Tulane in Week Four

OXFORD, Miss. — After waiting months for college football to return, we have already reached the week 4 mark. Saturday, Ole Miss takes on Tulane, one of the most impressive Group of 5 teams over the last several seasons as they sit at 3-0 in 2025 with wins over Power 5 teams Northwestern and Duke.

The Rebels don’t want to be the third victim of the Green Wave, and despite being in the Vaught, Ole Miss will be in for a tough test.

Here are three players I’m looking forward to watching on Saturday, and who will also need to be in top form.

Trinidad Chambliss, Quarterback

Reports indicate that Trinidad Chambliss will get his second consecutive start as Austin Simmons is still struggling to shake off his ankle injury. In his Rebels’ debut against Arkansas, Chambliss was excellent. The Division II transfer threw for 353 passing yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 62 yards and added two scores on the ground, so it was not a bad way to introduce himself.

The question is, can he follow up on it? It doesn’t have to be better, or the exact numbers in my mind. I just want it to see him control the drives and be calm in the pocket like he was against the Razorbacks. If he does that, he will surely have Lane Kiffin looking at some difficult decisions at the quarterback position.

Suntarine Perkins, Linebacker/Edge

Suntarine Perkins has not been mentioned much in the first three games, but that doesn’t mean he has been quiet. The hybrid playmaker was the top tackler on the team against Arkansas with nine, and made some big plays, including a huge tackle for loss early in the game.

The Ole Miss defense comes up against another dual-threat quarterback in Jake Retzlaff. He has already carried the ball 40 times for 288 rushing yards, adding six touchdowns on the ground. It’s not his straight-line speed that will worry you; it’s his work in tight spaces. Perkins will need to be ready to block both the outside and inside, meeting him head-on to stop big chunk plays.

Kewan Lacy, Running Back

The running game is where Saturday’s contest could be won for Ole Miss. Tulane is allowing 135 rushing yards per game. They also allowed Duke running back Nate Sheppard to have 75 yards from five carries, but did not feed him the ball enough. Lacy has been excellent through three games and could be in store for a massive game alongside quarterback Chambliss’ rushing qualities.

It feels like it will be a run offense vs. run offense matchup, and whoever has the better ground game could be decisive in determining who stays unbeaten after week 4.

Game info: 

Ole Miss and Tulane kick off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Vaught-Hemingway. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.